GREDI001 Language learning and sustainable language community

Contents and structure

This course emphasizes the link between diversity, language, and sustainability. In contemporary societies not only animals and plants are endangered and extinct, but also minority languages are at risk. Through the implementation of the didactic tools related to green dialogues, language at risk (Norwegian, especially nynorsk, Sami, Kven, and Romany) will be studied and discussed in relation to how authorities, schools, and teachers secure and strengthen the understanding and position of these languages. The course addresses the cross-curricular theme "Sustainable development".

It is assumed that the student attend and proceed the 5 ECT course U5NOR13 Norwegian for Foreign Students. Beginners' Course.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

On completion of the module, students should have acquired basic knowledge of:

• language history, modern linguistic change language diversity, multilingualism, and typological perspectives on Norwegian
• current language policy and national minority languages
• language didactic approaches

Skills

On completion of the module, students should have acquired the following skills:

• present and discuss representations of multilingualism and national minority languages in school and public contexts
• explore students’ texts focusing on various linguistic topics
• reflect on dialogic teaching as a tool to improve students’ linguistic awareness
• academic writing

General competence

Students

• can collaborate on, plan, carry out, and assess cross-disciplinary scientific development relevant for primary school
• can connect sustainable development as a cross-disciplinary theme with diverse and dialogic learning processes

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Teaching methods

Students should be active participants, recipients/receivers, conversation partners, tutors for peers, and observers in class. The subject includes various working methods and compulsory learning activities that support an active and student-oriented approach to learning. The working methods include lectures, supervision, student presentations, group work and discussions.

Compulsory learning activities

• Poster presentation on one preselected Norwegian minority language.
• Prepare one post for the student project ‘Språkspor’.

Detailed guidelines will be available at the start of the semester.

The course requirements are evaluated as a pass or fail. The course requirements must be completed and approved in order for students to attend the exam. Students who do not receive a passing grade on the course requirements, will have one (1) opportunity to resubmit in the same semester, within a deadline set by the instructor. Approved assignments are valid for one semester in addition to the semester in which the assignment was approved. Language: English or a Scandinavian language

Assessment

Oral exam in group (of 3-5 students): Plan and carry out a 20 minute panel discussion related to issues on language policy in own and Norwegian contexts. Guidelines for the exam/panel discussion will be provided at the beginning of the module.

Grades A to F are used in assessment.

Examination support material

None

More about examination support material